Automatic air torpedo



Oct. 29, 1929. R. P. HARLAN AUTOMATIC AIR TORPEDO 2 sneeis-sheet 2 Filed Jan. 25, 1928 Jf/ l ,II rlffllfl lat'entecl Get. 29, 1929 RALPH P. HABLAN, oF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS AUTOMATIC .AIR TORPEDO i Application filed. January 25, 1928. Serial No. 249,358;

My invention relates in Ygeneral to toys. It relates more particularly to an improved type of. automatic air torpedo cane by meam of which a detonation-like sound is pro` duced.y

The invention is in many respects an iniprovement over the automatic air torpedo disclosed in Patent No. 1,004,043, issued September 26, 1911, to Otto A. Langos.

rlhe principal' object of the present invention is to provide animproved air torpedo of thegtype disclosed in ,theabove mentioned patent.

Another object is to provide such an air torpedo which will be considerably less expensive to manufacture. l

Another object is the provision of an air torpedo having a sturdy construction.

vAnother object is to improve the mechanism for feeding the paper ribbon.

Another object is to provide an air torpedo adapted to be operatedL either with a quick downward movement, or with a slow downvward movement. and a report produced in either instance. n -V Another object is to produce a greater compression of air and consequently a louder report than in the prior device. f

Other objects and features of the inve tion ywill be apparent from a consideration of the detailed description taken with the ac-V companying drawings, wherein Fig. -1 is an elevational view withthe paper rollremoved';

Fig. 2 is an elevational view at right angles to the view` of Fig. 1 but lwith the roll in position for feeding;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3 3 of Fig.v2 looking downwardly, and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3. l

The automatic air torpedo mechanism is secured to any usual type of cane 10 having a special designed ferrule 11 with a cross pin f 12 extending into slots 13 in a cylindrical portion 14 of a frame member 16. The

' frame member is suitablysecured to the top of a cylinder 17 in which a suitable pump piston 18 is reciprocable. This piston is of the well-known removablev leather type so designed as to be substantially A leak proof, and adapted to berepaired by renewing the leather or the like to maintain it in good workable condition. The pumpk piston has connected thereto, a piston rod 19 55 axially slidable ina cylinder cap 21, the pis,- ton rod or plunger 18 having a plunger cap 22 and being provided with a, coil spring l23 having its endsengaging the cylinder'cap 21 and plunger cap 22, respectively. This cap 22 isfpreferably made of live rubber to facilitate operation of the device'and prevent slipping when the cane is pressed against the ground. rlhe special ferrule-likemember 11 proj eets downwardly beyond the endl of the cane` 10 in the manner vshown in Fig. 4,'and has 'side openings 24 with an axial Aopening 26, .the axial opening being adapted to vfit overa corresponding opening in the topofthecylinder 17, -this opening extends through a cylinder head 2,7 on which a live rubber washer 28 is set in the manner shown. The paper in strip or ribbon form, is adapted tobe fed from a roll 29 along the top ofthe `washer 28, I and the end of the special ferrule 'engages the top side of the strip andclamps itagainst the rubber washer 28. l This causesnthe paper tightly to seal the cylinder 17'A so that on the pressure stroke of the piston, the air vunder so pressurewill be forced through the paper with aloud report.` v -l In controlling the movement of the paper, the roll 29 is mounted on a spindle 31which is bent at right angles kandhas a pivotal connection 32 to the frame 16. A latch 33` also pivotedv to the frame. has a springbayonet slot into Vwhich the end of the spindle '31 is adapted to be snapped'to prevent loss of tbe. paper roll. Y

The paper strip is fedfrom the roll be'- tween the bottom of the special ferruleand Y across thetop of therubber washer 28, it being guided bythe two sidesV or guide portionsV of the frame .16. For advancing the paper, a special mechanism is provided including ya rack 36 pivotally secured to the cross` pin L12, and having its bottom loosely secured in a guide 37 formed by partially exercising aportion of theVV frame and bending ,it outof the ger. Although the shaft is loosein the verti-V V cal slots, it is held in a downward position ,vinder so as to comprise substantially a therein by a light leaf spring'44 which is secured to the cylinder portion 14 and extends in a U-shape so as to bear continuously against. the shaft while still permitting ready turning thereof.

At the bottom ofthe frame 16, and secured thereto, is abcd plate 46 encircling the top of .thel cylinder'and securing the same thereto so as to provide an integral structure. This plate furnishes the bed against which the feed wheel is pressed, and is smooth so as to facilitate the sliding of the paper strip.l The farthest extending edge thereof, at the left hand side of Fig. 4,l is finished in a straight edge so that when a sufficient quantity of the strip has been drawn across the bed plate, such strip f may be i pulled downwardly against the Y straight edge to sever itself at this-point.

' The cylinder head 27 is secured to the cylart thereof, but` the rubber washer 28 is friet-lionally or adhesively secured in position so that v it may be changed when worn without making itnecessary to interfere with any of the other y portions of the mechanism in anyway whatL soever.. An effective seal of the top of the cylinder by thepaper is therefore always possible.

In they operation of the cane, the roll 29 is f first applied in position on its support in the manner shown. The cane portion is held upwardly Ywith respect to the frame, land the. ribbon advanced between the bottom of theV projecting end of the ferrule andy the top of thebed plate so as to engage under the feed wheel 43. Y i The cane is now ready for use and the sequence of operation is as follows z a First the cane portion moves downwardly in the cylindrical portion`l4 until the ferrule tip engages the paper around the edges of the axial opening in the washer28. In so moving, the rack 36 turns the ratchet wheel 38r After each report, the cane is lifted upwardly, the first movement is a downward movement of the plunger due to the action of the spring 23. Toward theend of the plun gers travel, the weight of the air `torpedo mechanism causes a movement thereof with respect to the cane 10. This draws the cross pin 12 upwardly in the slots 13 and the rack 36 drawn upwardly with respect to the ratchet wheel clicks over the teeth thereof until'it assumes the position of Fig. 2where it is all ready for another feeding stroke. This cycle of operations takes place each time the cane is fired. Y y

It is to be noted that the piston is adapted to travel to the extreme upper limits of the cylinder, and that consequently 4the air is comis not intended necessarily to restrict the in-l vention to any specific form but it is limited only by the scope of the yappended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent isf: y

y 1. In an automatic air torpedo, a cane, a support in the cane for a roll of paper ribbon, an air pump mechanism for compressing a volume of air operable by' downward pressure of the cane, means for holding the ribbon to bepierced by the action of the compressed Vai-r,a feedwheel near said holding means,

and automatic means for turning the wheel to advance the ribbon before each operation of the pump mechanism yand in the first movement of the cane as it is being pressed downwardly. Y j f 2. In an automatic air torpedo, asupport for a roll of paper ribbon, an air pump mechanism for compressing `a volume of air including a cylinder with an'axial upper openingand a bed plate near saidy opening, means for holding the ribbon against said opening, to be piercedby the air when compressed, a feed wheelbearii'igl against'said ed plate and adapted to be turned to kadvance the ribbon along the bed plate, and means for turning the feedvwheel before each operation of the pump 'mechanism and while the holding means is movinginto holding position. y

3. In an automatic air torpedo, a cane with a special ferrule at the end thereof, a frame member with a cylinder portion with vertical slots extending around the'ferrule,'a cross pin through the cane and ferrule and extend,

ing into theslots, a pump cylinder, a bedV plate securedat the top of the cylinder and to Ythe frametransversely thereof, the cylinder having an opening flush with said bed plate,

a piston reciprocable in the cylinder, and adapted to compress a volume of air, a support for a roll of paper ribbon, and means for drawing the ribbon across the bed plate to feed the same, the special ferrule having an extending portion adapted to engage the paper around the cylinder outlet to seal said outlet and permits suiicient compression of air within the cylinder to disrupt the paper.

4. In an automatic air torpedo, a cane, a specially designed ferrule at the end of the cane, with side openings in its projecting pore tion and an axial opening in the end thereof, a single piece frame including ribbon guiding portions and having cylinder portions engaging around the ferrule, a pin through the ferrule and extending into vertical slots in the cylindrical portion of the frame to limit the sliding movement between the cane and frame, a transverse bed plate secured across the guide portions of the frame, a

pump cylinder having its upper end securedV in the bed plate, a plunger in the cylinder adapted to be forced upwardly by engaging the bottom thereof against the ground, means for returning the plunger to unactuated position, a support for a roll of ribbon paper, and means for feeding the ribbon paper between the guides and across the bed plate.

5. In an automatic air torpedo, a cane, a support for a roll of paper ribbon on the cane, an air pump mechanism carried by the cane in the lower end thereof for compressing a volume of air, said pump mechanism including a cylinder with an axial upper opening and a bed plate near said opening, means for holding the ribbon against the opening to be pierced by the air when compressed, a feed wheel resiliently held against the-bedjplate and adapted to be turned to advance the ribbon along the bed plate, and means for turning the feed wheel before each operation of the'pump mechanism and while the holding means is moving into holding position.

6. In an automatic air torpedo, a cane, support for a roll of paper on the cane, an air pump mechanism carried by the cane at the lower end thereof for compressing a volume of air, said pump mechanism including a cylinder with an axial upper opening and a bed plate near said opening and flush with the top thereof, means for holding the ribbon against the opening to be pierced by the air when compressed, a feed wheelsecured on a loosely mounted shaft spring pressed to engage tlie feed wheel against Vthe bed plate, a ratchet wheel on the shaft and a spring pressed ratchet carried by the cane adapted to engage the ratchet wheel and turn the same as the ribbon holding means is moving into holding position.

7. In an automatic air torpedo, a cane, a specially designed ferrule at the end of the cane, with side openings in its projecting portion and an axial openng in the end thereratchet wheel.

of, a single; piecflefframejl including ribbon guiding; portions and Vhaving a cylindrical portion jengaging-r around A4the ferrule, a pin through the ferrule and extending into verti- -cal slots in thev cylindrical portion ofthe. frame to limit the sliding movement between the,v cane'and frame, a transverse bed plate secured across the `guide portions of the frame, a pump cylinder having its upper end 'secured inthe bed plate, a plunger in the j,

cylinder adapted'tobe forced upwardly by engaging the bottom thereof against the ground, means for returning the plunger to unactuated position, a support for a roll of ribbon paper, and means for feeding the rib-vk bon paper between the guides and across the bed plate, said lbed plate having a straight edgeon one side thereof to facilitate the re-A the cane and frame, a transverse bed plate` securedacrossy the guide portions of the frame, a pump cylinder having its upper end secured in the bedV plate, a plunger in the cylinder adapted to be forced upwardly by engaging the bottom thereof against the' ground, means for returning theV plunger to unactuated position, a support for a roll of ribbon paper, a shaft secured across the guide plates in vertical' slots permitting a slight vvertical movement thereof, a spring adapted to hold the shaft in the bottom of the slots, feed wheel secured to the shaft by the guides and adapted to engage the ribbon in the bed plate, a ratchet wheel secured to the shaft on the outside of the guides, a ratchet engaging rack pivotally secured to the ferrule pin, and a spring for 9. In an automatic airtorpedo, a cane, a specially designed ferrule at the end of the. cane having an extending portion with side slots and a axial opening in the end thereof,

10. In an automatic air torpedo, a cane, a

pressing the rack against theY n framermovable with respectto the lower end of the cane, a bed platecarried by the frame, an air cylinder extending intoand held in an aperture in the -bed plate, a transverse apertured partition in the cylinder near the top thereof, a sealin washer resting on thev partition and exten ing to a position substantially flush with the bed plate, means for compressing the air in the cylinder, means for feeding a paper ribbon across the bed Y plate, and means for holding the paper ribbon in contact with said sealing washer as l the air in the cylinder is compressed.

11. In an automatic air torpedo, a cane, a Vframe at the bottom of the cane having a pair of guides for a paper ribbon with a bed plate between the guides, an air pump mechanism below the bed plate, a shaft secured across the guides in vertical slots permitting slight vertical movement thereof, a spring tending to hold the shaft in the bottom of the slots, a feed wheel secured to the shaft between the guides and adapted to engage the ribbon, a. ratchet Wheel secured to the shaft on the outside of the guides, a ratchet wheel engaging rack pivoted at its upper'end to the cane and a spring for pressing the rack against the ratchet wheel.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 28th clay of December, 1927.

' RALPH P. HABLAN.

fissare@ y 

